Blueberry
Vaccinium corymbosum, v. angustifolium
"Blueberries" by Else Bostelmann
An All-American fruit, the blueberry
is a cool temperature, moisture-loving plant which
shares kinship with another mostly American plant,
the cranberry. Native to northern North America,
the blueberry has also successfully been grown in
several European countries with favorable climates.
Little is known of the blueberry’s
early history—it was picked and eaten on the spot
by the natives, and also dried, as were other fruits,
for later consumption. Blueberries were flavorings
for stews and soups. Lake Huron Indians were reported
to make a pudding of cornmeal and ground blueberries
called “sautauthig.” Never a staple, blueberries were
nonetheless another example of the abundance of American
native plants.
Certain American Indians were said
to admire the blueberry because the blossom end of
the fruit forms a five pointed star. Star berries
were thought to be a gift directly from the Great
Spirit to hungry children.
The blueberry is unusual in that
much of its produce is from wild plants, usually the
species v. angustifolium, known as the lowbush blueberry.
World's
largest blueberry, Nova Scotia, Canada
In Nova Scotia, Canada, wild blueberries
are the most important fruit crop economically. The
province produces 30 million pounds of wild berries
each year. The state of Maine, too, is a wild blueberry
area.
Blueberry scoop, USA, mid 20th century
High bush blueberries, the most frequently
grown commercial plants, can produce for 40 to 50
years. They rely on generous amounts of water and
well-drained soil. Started as cuttings in greenhouses,
the young slips are planted in rows. Covered with
mulch to maintain moisture levels, the plants can
produce all summer.
New Jersey raises the most cultivated
fresh blueberries in the United States. Michigan grows
more berries but 2/3 of its crop goes for processing.
Maine produces only wild blueberries, much of
the crop processed by freezing. The U.S. produces
over 110 tons of blueberries, Canada close to 40.
Poland, Lithuania and the Netherlands are also significant
blueberry growing countries.
Elizabeth
Coleman White, pioneer blueberry breeder
Elizabeth Coleman White (1871 - 1954)
was a New Jersey agricultural specialist who was one
of the first to commercialize blueberries.
She grew up on her father's cranberry
farm in the New Jersey Pine Barrens and developed
an interest in commercial agriculture. In 1911, she
became interested in blueberry propagation and, using
her father's farm in Whitesbog, New Jersey, she collaborated
with Federick Coville to develop a commercial blueberry
based on the wild varieties. They developed a commercial
variety in 1916. In 1927, she helped to start the
New Jersey Cooperative Blueberry Association.
Blueberry
Pie
MagKnits shows you how to make this
fabric blueberry pie slice here.
Directions
for making a Carolina Blueberry Pie
Machias
Wild Blueberry Festival
Blueberry
Pie eating contest photos here.
Greater
Sudbury, Ontario, Canada Blueberry Festival
Home
Back
to Exhibits |
